Infant and Newborn Care

The first 28 days — the newborn period — and the first year of life are when a child is most vulnerable. India has cut newborn deaths substantially over the last two decades, but many newborn deaths remain preventable. Good basic care — feeding, warmth, hygiene, recognising danger signs early — saves lives.

The essential first hour — golden hour care

• Immediate skin-to-skin contact with the mother, drying the baby, delayed cord clamping.
• Initiate breastfeeding within the first hour — including the first thick yellow milk (colostrum). Do not discard colostrum — it is the baby's first vaccine.
• Keep the baby warm — dry, cover head, skin-to-skin. Hypothermia is a silent killer of newborns.
• Delay the first bath for at least 24 hours — earlier bathing drops baby's temperature.

Feeding in the first 6 months

• Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months — no water, honey, sugar water, ghutti, gripe water, formula, cow's milk.
• Feed on demand — every 2-3 hours, including at night.
• Signs of adequate feeding: 6-8 wet nappies a day, regular stool, baby gaining weight.
• If milk supply worries — see a lactation consultant / ASHA / paediatrician before switching to formula.

Routine care

• Umbilical cord care — keep dry and clean; no oil, herbs, or dung on the cord; report redness/pus/bad smell urgently.
• Sleep safely — on back, on a firm surface, no pillows/heavy blankets/soft toys near the face. Room-sharing is good; bed-sharing with heavy bedding is not.
• Keep the baby warm but not overheated.
• Handwashing before handling the baby — for everyone.
• Vitamin K injection at birth — given at delivery; prevents bleeding disorder of newborn. Ensure it was given.
• Newborn screening — many Indian hospitals now screen for congenital hypothyroidism, sickle cell, CAH, G6PD, and some other conditions. Worth asking about.

Danger signs — dial 112 or go to hospital immediately

• Not feeding, or feeding poorly.
• Fast or difficult breathing, grunting, chest in-drawing.
• Bluish lips or body.
• Floppy, less responsive, lethargic.
• Fever or very low temperature.
• Yellow skin appearing in first 24 hours, or deepening yellow past 2 weeks.
• Convulsions.
• Persistent vomiting, bloated belly.
• Bleeding from anywhere.
• Umbilical cord red, swollen, or pus.
• Rash or skin infection that is spreading.

Post-discharge check-ins

ASHA workers in most of India conduct home visits on set days after delivery (Day 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42) — make the most of them. Weight, feeding, jaundice, warmth, and infant-care questions are all covered. Bring the mother-child protection card to every clinic visit.